"LEARN FROM INSIDE"

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15648, 21 July 1916, Page 3

"LEARN FROM INSIDE"

MR BEN FULLER ENLISTS. OTHER THEATRE NOTABLES TO FOLLOW SUIT. The announcement was made that Mr Ben J. Fuller, governing director of Fullers' Vaudeville and Theatres, Ltd., had decided to enlist, and last week Mr B'uller told a Sydney "Evening News" reporter the ideas and reasons that had led to his decision. "I am forty-two years old, and two leading doctors certify that I am as sound as a bell, and that I shall train as fit as anyone," said Mr Fuller, tilting back on his chair. "Why shouldn't I go?"

Asked whether he had thought of all the people who depended on the Fuller circuit for their living, he replied that the Fuller , organisation -was in good shape, and would run itself till he came back. The first six months of the war were critical, and he nad iiad bo reduce the statf s salaries by 25 per cent, 'i'nen ills accountant snowed toiat ousiness nacl crept up to noiinai again, ana tne staif iiaa been repaid me deauction lor tne wnoie bix montns. "'lnose 'men tmnk a lot of Fuilers'. they'll look alter things ail rignt while I'm away."

'"Ana if you don't come back?" y~ "1 wasn't born to be snot," Mr Jb'uller .laugned, and toucned wood. "I've had too many narrow squeaks to be afraid."

'•What do your family think of it?"

Mr Fuller looiied a_ioss at tne window. "Alls Fuller —will go to England wnile I am at tne front.'' Mo itant over his desk. "¥ou ought to near tne boy. He's a senior caaet. Mes coining, too, when he's olu enough, in tiiree years' time."

"wnen are you going into camp?" "About .November. I'm .sort, and subject to colcls. (Starting in summer, I'll get hard quicker. I'm not a yourfg man, you see. But 111 be reaJy in time tor the invasion of Germany, and that's when the enemy will lignt, in defence of his home. I don't think twelve months will seo the end of this."

Asked if lie would trv for a commission, ->ir Fuller said he had boine responsibility all his life, and would like to try the simple, woiryless job ol following competent leauers for a change. He was sure he would like it.

"And after the war ?"

"The tremendous organisation that has been forced on us in self-defence has one danger—the creation of a military caste, with its cliques and cabals. The greater the number of men. of affairs who now learn the military game .from the inside, the less that danger, the wiser the counsels that will guide the country in the happier days of peace. That is why I am going, and I hope many more of my class will come with me. Since yesterday, five of my friends liave announced their decision to do so—Harry Sadler, part proprietor of the Princess Theatre: Darcy Ferry, manager of the National, and three others. John Earle, a man I was paying £25 a week, enlisted some time ago at six bob a day. It's the men we want, at the war and after the war. The- ©theis-dott't • count.''- 1